January 19, 2021

ARTISTS BOLDLY EXPLORE PSYCHOLOGY OF 2020 ELECTIONS AS SPACES REOPENS

(Cleveland, OH)-- SPACES welcomes audiences back to the galleries with a series of critical new works. In this politically charged and decisive moment in American history, SPACES presents the work of artists Alicia Grullón (New York, NY) and Leonardo Selvaggio (Providence, RI). SPACES also presents the Season Pass Members Exhibition, presenting the works of artist members of the organization.

Please Don’t Let it Be Too Close is a culmination of Grullón’s 8-week virtual residency, during which she held long-distance interviews with individuals from Cleveland and the surrounding region. These interviews centered around the 2020 Election and individual rationalizations, experiences, and sentiments surrounding the event. Re-structured into a script and performed as characters, Grullón creates a pastiche of hyper-regional identity. She augments these moments with montage, music, and other audio-visual elements that enrich the connection to place. The installation features a diorama of houses in Cleveland, with duelling political signs. A series of self-portraits dressed as essential workers, hang along the side of the gallery. These works were featured in From March to June: At Home with Essential Workers an online exhibition at The Bronx Museum of Arts in 2020.

Apologize to America, by Leo Selvaggio, is a part of SPACES’ Time-Based Arts program, is an online piece, best experienced through SPACES’ website, YouTube, and social media channels. This participatory piece invites audience members to download Snapchat to access the apologize2america filter which allows users to perform an apology as the 45th president of the United States, Donald Trump. Operating in the vernacular of social media lip sync, mimicry, and filters, this project operates as a method of socially-constructing accountability.

SPACES Season Pass Members’ Exhibition features the works of 16 member artists. This group show exhibits the engaging work of SPACES’ artist members. SPACES’ member shows have long celebrated the creativity and ingenuity of artists in Cuyahoga County. From abstract landscapes to golden detritus, this group show is an opportunity for regional art to be in dialogue. The Season Pass Members’ Exhibition features works by: Lena Atomika, Leigh Brooklyn, Laura D'Alessandro, Eileen Dorsey, Dale A. Goode, Lauren Charlene Havel, Alex Heard, David F. Heatwole, Timothy Herron, George F. Kocar, Tessa Lebaron, Ashley Lynn, Barbara Martin, Samantha Schneider, Grace Summanen, and Chi-Irena Wong.

The works on view will be complemented by a series of virtual public talks. At 12PM ET on Thursday, January 28th, Alicia Grullón and Leo Selvaggio will join Executive Director Tizziana Baldenebro in an online artist talk. At 7PM ET on the 28th, artist members will convene to discuss their works. More information will be available on SPACES’ website soon.

The galleries will be open to SPACES Season Pass Members January 22-28 and free and open to the general public on January 29th. SPACES is located at 2900 Detroit Ave., in Cleveland, OH. Gallery Hours are 12PM-5PM Wednesday-Friday and Saturdays from 12PM-2PM by appointment only, with a limit of 8 total guests from a single household. Guests are required to wear masks and maintain social distance from staff and others as much as possible. For more information, visit www.SPACEScle.org, call 216.621.2314, or email contact@SPACEScle.org.